Country Lifestyles
See North Texas on the Trails Less Traveled
By Jessica Crabtree & Michelle Ellis
Do you like the outdoors? Do you love riding horses? Are you needing to de-stress or find an outlet from chaos of the everyday grind? Combine them all and see the trails and roads less traveled in North Texas from the seat of a saddle while horseback along some of the best trails North Texas has to offer. When it became aware to avid trail riders that trails across the great state were becoming sparse, it propelled a movement in informing, educating and maintaining trails throughout the state. As a result, more avenues for information emerged, clearer more detailed information about specific trails transpired as well as maps and readily available resources for the beginner to the devoted trail riders.
While every rider rides for different reasons, every trail is different. Fortunately, there are enough in the North Texas area to keep all riding the path they so choose. Every trail varies on degree of difficulty, entrance fees, distance, camp site availability, amenities and more.
Michelle Ellis of Denton, Texas, has been trail riding since childhood, but bought her first horse at age 34. As a proponent of trail riding and advocate to keep trails maintained, she is a great source of trail riding info.
Why do people trail ride?
“People trail ride for a variety of reasons, but for the majority it is to escape and relax, getting an opportunity to connect with the nature around you.”
As an experienced trail rider, what do you look for in a good trail?
“Different levels of riders want different things. Some prefer serene and quiet 10-foot wide trails of flat unchallenging grade footing. Some prefer technical trails that challenge the skills and abilities of both mount and rider. Technical trails are made up of changing inclines, obstacles to maneuver through, water to cross and such. Some riders are conditioning for endurance and prefer to have long stretches of sandy footing to really get their mounts in peak fitness.”
Are there some trails that allow for overnight stay?
“Yes, many trails allow overnight stay. Some have primitive camping only while others have pens, restrooms and showers. The information can be found on the websites and Facebook group pages provided.”
Are trails marked with level of difficulty? If so how do you discern your ability?
“Trails are marked by mileage in most cases. Levels of difficulty can be researched in advance on the websites and Facebook group pages provided, with many good people to mentor you along the way. Asking questions on the public forum of Facebook has brought a large community of riders together that might not have ever met though they travel the same trails.”
To read more pick up a copy of the August 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Annette Bridges
A friend and I were recently talking about our husbands. She made a comment that I felt also perfectly described me and my hubby.
“He slows me and I hurry him. I’m sure that is why we do well together,” she said.
“Precisely!” I thought. Why?
Because when two different worlds collide, it can be magical.
No matter what those two different worlds are- a man and a woman with very different personalities, beliefs, or backgrounds, two partners with contrasting passions, strengths, or talents, or when a country boy marries a city girl.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Watauga, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, is known for its rich history as a railroad stop, but over the course of the last year, one teen girl has put it on the map for agriculture as well. Emma Harvey has lived in Tarrant County her entire life. Despite being highly involved in her local 4-H chapter, she still felt there was more she could do. In the spring of 2023, she stepped up to the plate to take over the title of Tarrant County Teen Miss Agriculture USA.
“It all started when I put in an application for the teen title here in Tarrant County,” explained Harvey.
The Miss Agriculture USA program is a national non-profit, age-inclusive pageant program that offers both competition and non-competition titles to women dedicated to the promotion of agriculture.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
Photo by Hannah Claxton.
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